Writing is a Team Effort, Thank God!

The common perception of writers is that they are isolated from the world, tucked away in a corner or small space with little to no human contact.

Perhaps that used to be the way it was. But these days with the internet, social media, and the ability to travel more easily, writers spend less time alone. Sometimes a writer feels all alone while their minds go to places outside of their current surroundings, however, the truth is, we are not alone and don’t need to be.

I used to think no one understood me and my feelings and thoughts about writing. But I was so wrong. First of all, almost every other writer has had the same feelings and thoughts. For that reason, we should spend time with other writers either via email or in groups with other writers, whether in critique groups or at conferences. As Christian writers, we support each other and encourage each other. We aren’t out to steal ideas or bash our fellow writer’s work. We are a team who has felt the godly call on their lives to write, therefore we are not competitors.

Another place I’ve learned to appreciate a team is in publishing a book. Whether indie publishing or traditional publishing, there has to be a team of sorts—people who edit or help with the process. In larger traditional publishing houses, there are bigger teams—agents, more editors, marketing people and salespeople.

The team concept was created by God, who saw early on that it was not good for man to be alone. Also, in Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10, it says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”

And in the New Testament, we see that Jesus had a team of twelve disciples that he sent out in smaller teams of two.

In Hebrews, we are told, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

So if you’re a writer, don’t believe the lie that you are alone on this journey. God is with you, and so are a multitude of other writers. Perhaps you need to reach out and find them.